Jeff Foster: Tracking Pathogens

Jeff Foster, PhD

Jeff Foster, Associate Director, Center for Microbial Genetics and
Genomics (MGGen), and Research Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at
Northern Arizona University (NAU), is interested chiefly in the interface
between pathogens and their ecology. Because his education and career have led
Foster to quite a range of projects in different parts of the world, he says,
“I’m part ecologist, part conservation biologist, part disease ecologist, part
microbiologist. . . . I’ve been pretty fortunate in that I’ve seen a lot of the
world through my work.” On the horizon for Foster, he says, is a possible trip
to Ecuador to conduct human disease-related research. He is looking forward to
this trip not only because of the research but also because Ecuador has an
extremely diverse bird population, and Foster is an avid birder.When I walk into Dr. Jeff Foster’s office, I am greeted with a
bright, welcoming smile and an apology for “the mess.” Piles of papers are
scattered across the desk in an otherwise tidy workspace. Curious, I ask, “What
are all of these?” As Foster sifts through each document he explains, “These
are just some projects I’m working on.” He glances at the one in his hand and
turns it toward me: “Cystic fibrosis research,” he says. “Here’s an article on
bacterial evolution. This is a map of bird populations on an island in
Hawaii.” While he may be busy with many
projects, Foster is distinctly approachable.

At MGGen, Foster is currently overseeing a research project
on the Geomyces destructans fungus, which causes the lethal white-nose syndrome in bats. He and his
team of five undergraduate researchers and one postdoctoral researcher are
tracking the origins of the fungus (suspected to have been unintentionally
carried into the United States from Europe by a human) using genetic
sequencing. White-nose syndrome has killed nearly 6 million bats in the eastern
United States and Canada since 2007.
Because of the important role bats play in insect control and agriculture,
Foster’s project has important biological ramifications. It is also right up
his alley as a researcher with its blend of microbiology, disease ecology, and
conservation.

After deciding he was interested in avian ecology, Foster wrote
his dissertation on exotic bird invasions into the forests of Hawaii. Then,
with a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of
Illinois, Foster ventured to Washington DC to work for the Smithsonian
Institution as a postdoctoral researcher. There he studied avian malaria in
Hawaiian honeycreepers. He says, “That was the first time I did extensive
genetics work, and I do almost entirely genetics work now, so that was really a
key moment. [It was also] the beginning of my disease work.” In 2007, Foster
came to NAU as a postdoctoral research associate.

“I find my job really intellectually satisfying. I’m curious by
nature. I find that every day I’m faced with a different kind of puzzle in
science, and I have to find ways to solve it. I’m creating knowledge; I love
that aspect of it,” Foster said. “Going into [research], you really don’t know
where your research will lead you, so it’s a process of discovery and putting
puzzle pieces together.”

When asked what or who has inspired him to pursue his research
career, Foster responded, “I grew up with a next-door neighbor who was a nature
writer. He used to take me fishing. so
he inspired me for sure. I had a really superb geology teacher in junior high
school. . . [who] definitely inspired me. Also, my parents encouraged me to
pursue whatever path I wanted. I had a really strong natural sciences
upbringing; I was outdoors a lot so that certainly affected my worldview.”

Living in Flagstaff allows Foster to continue to stay close to
these field ecologist roots. “I do a good deal of hiking,” he said. “I like to
go birding when I have time.”